In an unprecedented move reflecting an immediate commitment to new legislation, Meta announced it had disabled more than half a million user accounts in Australia in response to the controversial law banning the use of social media by those under the age of sixteen.
In an official statement, the tech giant revealed that between December 4th and 11th, it deleted a total of 544,052 accounts believed to belong to individuals in the prohibited age group. These actions spanned the company's main platforms, with 330,639 accounts disabled on Instagram, 173,497 on Facebook, and 39,916 on Threads.
Details of the new Australian law
This swift action comes in response to a law that officially took effect on December 10, imposing a blanket ban on private accounts for children and teenagers under the age of 16 on 10 major social media platforms. While the law grants tech companies a one-year grace period to develop and implement effective age verification systems, Meta has taken proactive measures. The legislation stipulates hefty fines of up to AU$49.5 million (approximately US$33 million) for companies that fail to prevent minors from accessing their services.
Background to the decision and the Australian government's motives
This decision did not come out of thin air; rather, it is the product of lengthy societal and political discussions within Australia about the impact of technology on the mental health of younger generations. The Australian government adopted this strict approach based on studies and reports indicating a strong link between excessive social media use and increased rates of anxiety, depression, and cyberbullying among teenagers. The legislation, which the Australian Prime Minister described as "world-leading," aims to restore parental control and protect children from potentially addictive algorithms or harmful content.
Global impacts and historical precedent
This event is gaining significant international importance, as the Australian experience is seen as a global "testing ground" for internet regulation policies. Many countries and governments around the world, including those in the European Union and the United States, are closely monitoring the implementation of this measure. Australia's success in enforcing this ban could encourage other countries to enact similar legislation to curb the power of major technology companies and protect minors, potentially reshaping the global digital landscape and the rules governing children's internet use in the near future.
